Ben Revere rode in from Lexington to help the Reds with as big an upset as the patriots who upset the British. It was Paul Revere, who got the signal from North Church. One if by land, two if by see and rode to Lexington and Concord to warn the minute men the British were coming.
Revere who lives in Lexington, Kentucky joined the Reds and wears the number two. The upset would be by C as in Cincinnati in the Central.
Family and friends pestered Revere to sign with the Reds but he's been around the baseball business long enough to avoid emotional decisions.
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Revere defined his role and manager Bryan Price confirmed it.
“I seeing him coming in to compete,” Price said. “I’ve seen him play. He isn’t a secret. He’s a well versed basball guy. We have four outfielders with a solid footing on the roster. He can offer a component that we may lack, speed off the bench. He is an experienced veteran pinch hit at bat and when he gets a start, he can continue to perform at a high level.”
Billy Hamilton, Adam Duvall, Scott Schebler and Jesse Winker are favorites to make the team. Price would like to have a five-man bench that would allow him to carry a fifth outfielder.
The 29-year old from Lexington, Kentucky broke in with the Minnesota Twins in 2010. Revere played for Philadelphia, Toronto and Washington in addition to the Angels.
“We were talking the other day that he came through the Twins organization. They have a good reputation for developing young players,” Price said.
Revere, a left-handed hitter, with eight years in the big leagues play with Cliff Pennington, who recently signed with the Reds.
“Cliff told me yesterday, the Reds have some good young guns in the clubhouse,” Revere said. “Hopefully, we’ll make some noise this year with the players they have, great pitching. The hitting they did last year was impressive. I’m here to bring some excitement to the clubhouse and help them make a run for the Central.”
With Angels last season, playing in 109 games with a .275 batting average, Revere is known for his speed and his glove.
Revere led the National League with 184 hits in 2014 while stealing a career-high 49 bases for the Phillies. He stole 21 with the Angels last season. His career batting average of .284 with seven home runs and 198 RBI. He has a .344 on-base percentage and hit 37 career triples.
The market for free agents is down this year. Revere found job hunting to be tedious until the last two weeks.
“A bunch of guys are getting nervous, I’ll tell you that,” Revere said. “It is definitely crazy. There are many more out there to this day, great players. You could build an All-Star team with the many guys still out there.”
Revere thinks the market will correct itself.
“Eventually guys will find a team. Situations happen, injuries happen, where you need somebody,” Revere said. “I’m definitely glad to be here. I’m definitely ready to get going.”
Revere has been working out in Lexington but is happy to come to camp in Arizona to get in baseball shape.
“I’ve been trying to get outside and taking some fly balls but its been bipolar weather there,” Revere said. “Every time I tried to get outside and hit it would pour rain. Yesterday after the physical I got outside for a little bit to run around the outfield. Trying to see some live pitches, seeing the ball. I have a trainer but it was just speed work and agility. I’m trying to get my speed up like Billy. He could blow me out of the water.”
Revere has athletic genes. His father, Ben, was a speedy wide receiver and punt returner at Eastern Kentucky University. Ben is now an academics advisor for the athletic department and lives 30 miles from campus in Lexington.
“I have a lot of family and friends in Lexington,” Revere said. “They were all excited now I have to change my number.”
That would be the number two on the Reds’ roster.
Senzel at Short
Nick Senzel, a thirdbaseman, is getting a chance to play shortstop. He is a long shot to make the team unless an injury intervenes but the Reds are getting a good look at him, while getting him ready for the season.
"He's made all the plays and looks comfortable at short," Price said.
Senzel is two for four in the early going, including an RBI double against the Diamondbacks on Monday.
Empty Training Room
Only Rookie Davis, Jose Siri and Mason have needed trainers attention this spring.
Davis is limited as far as running and fielding but he is able to throw.
Jose Sirii strained his left thumb rinning into the centerfield fence against Cleveland on Friday. His wrist is immobolized until he is examined next week.
Mason Williams was hit in the dugout by a line drive hit by Phillip Ervin on Saturday. He had four stitches but was in the lineup the next day. He has three hits since the incident.
Robert Stephenson Erratic
Robert Stephenson pitched 1 2/3 innings on Monday, allowing three runs on three hits, including two home runs.
"Rob was erratic," Price said. "You will see him get sharper as the spring goes on. He had two fastballs, one outside and one inside that came back over the plate and he got hit. He just wasn't crisp."
Next Up
Sal Romano will make his second start on Wednesday against the Royals on Wednesday. Veteran LHP, Oliver Perez will make his first Reds' appearance. Ariel Hernandez, Cody Reed, Kevin Quackenbush, Joe Matiply, Austin Brice and Kyle Crocket will also pitch.
Michael Lorenzen will start against the White Sox on Thursday. Brandon Finnegan will make his first Cactus League appearance. The Reds have been extra cautious with him, coming off an injury riddled, 2017.
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